Every month, we like to characteristic an unbiased maker that you’ll find on the cabinets in-store or on-line at papersource.com. This month we have a good time Jess Weymouth, the illustrator and watercolor artist who’s the maker of the 2024 Flora & Fauna calendar, stocked in shops and on-line. Discover out extra in regards to the affect behind her designs, private type, and hobbies right here.
Hello! My title is Jess Weymouth, I’m a watercolor & illustration artist from Lengthy Seashore, CA! My work is especially product gross sales, corresponding to rainbow-making suncatchers, calendars, prints, and so on – however as an artist we put on loads of hats, so I additionally do murals, customized collaborations with manufacturers, workshops, and so on – there’s at all times one thing to stay up for!
Other than my inventive endeavors, I’m additionally a online game streamer – so a typical day for me appears to be like like spending the primary half of the day packaging merchandise, delivery orders, developing with new concepts – and the latter half of the day appears to be like like hanging out with my gaming neighborhood on dwell stream! My artist title is Jess Weymouth, and once I’m gaming I’m going by “moreplants”! It could typically really feel like I am at all times doing one thing – however I really like what I do and I’m actually grateful to have the flexibility to do each!
When did you start water coloring?
I’ve at all times been a “dabbler” – I beloved selecting up new artistic hobbies and attempting new issues. Sooner or later I discovered an previous watercolor set in my field of crafts, and I made a decision to offer it a go! I instantly fell in love with the medium, I really like that watercolor appears like a collaboration between you and the medium – with watercolor it’s important to relinquish some management and let the paint do what it needs to do! In a short time I started printing and promoting a few of my work – which continued to develop into different forms of merchandise.
How did you turn into concerned in calendar making?
On the time, I used to be creating a lot work that I had dozens and dozens of prints obtainable. Making artwork that’s accessible to folks of all backgrounds and monetary standing has at all times been on the forefront of my work, and the considered making a calendar that might embrace 12 designs for the value of 1 product appeared all too becoming!
Have you ever at all times been involved in celestial motifs, moon phases, and different pure parts?
I keep in mind as a child I might go right into a bookstore and head straight for the Astrology part – I beloved the idea of studying extra about your self by way of the moon, stars, and planets. As a Sagittarius, I’ve at all times felt just like the traits match my completely – so I developed an curiosity within the celestial at an early age. After I started portray, my first illustration I did was a moon & solar and I simply by no means stopped creating these ideas.
Inform us about your type.
(Dreamscape Surrealism) I type of created the idea of Dreamscape Surrealism as a result of I could not actually discover a type title that match my work. Surrealism is a motion in artwork relationship again to the twentieth century which sought to launch the artistic potential of the unconscious thoughts, and whereas that may very well be used to explain my work, there’s extra of a “dreamy” nature to my illustrations, so I got here up with Dreamscape Surrealism to explain one thing that felt troublesome to explain. A lot of my work is influenced by a dreamworld, so it felt becoming!
What conjures up you as a Maker?
I really feel most something could be inspiring, in the event you have a look at it in the best means. I’m impressed by nature, the cosmos, wild animals, the way in which the moon influences the tides, the budding of a brand new leaf on a houseplant, the sound of a bumblebee, my buddy’s laughter, my canine’s eyelashes, my favourite books, the sensation of the nice and cozy solar in your pores and skin, the serendipity of life, the sensation of affection and the sensation of grief, the truth that everybody’s lives are equally as priceless and complicated as mine. Inspiration is throughout us, you simply must search for it.
What are the necessities in your maker toolkit?
A round-tip paintbrush, an excellent high quality watercolor set, some 300lb watercolor paper, and a novel concept!
What recommendation would you give different makers, designers, and creators given your expertise?
Hold creating, it doesn’t matter what! You’ll make a whole bunch of work that you simply simply wish to toss out however you have to maintain going – don’t let your individual self get in the way in which of the magic you’ll create!
Do you may have any particular targets for the long run or dream initiatives? I just lately did a large-scale mural of over 1,000 toes (see picture beneath) and I used to be stunned by how a lot I beloved engaged on such a big scale! As a watercolor artist, I’m used to very small scale and fine-line particulars, so scaling that and creating one thing that may be loved by the neighborhood actually meant loads to me! A dream venture can be to proceed creating large-scale work, all around the world!
What’s Your Favourite Colorscope Coloration at PS? It is a exhausting one, as a result of all of those colours are wonderful, however I’ll must go together with Peacock – it is an ideal blue-green that’s timeless! 
Do you may have any favourite PS objects that you’re loving proper now? As a really aggressive particular person and lover of board video games, this Yahtzee Cup of Noodle set makes such an ideal reward! I am obsessed!
To search out out extra about Jess, her illustrations, and art work you’ll be able to observe her on IG @jessweymouth_or discover her web site right here.